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Commonly referred to as the flu, influenza is an infectious disease that is one of the most common illnesses suffered by human beings. During the course of their lifetime, most people experience this illness in one form or another multiple times. Nowadays, many people have access to flu vaccinations which can help prevent the illness from occurring. However, understanding more about the three different types of flu is important to knowing how it happens.
Flu Virus A (Influenza virus A) -
The type A form of the flu is the most virulent and has the most unpleasant symptoms of the three possible types. It is the most common form, and is also the form responsible for the largest outbreaks throughout history. More people die from type A flu than from any other type.
There are different subsets of the type A influenza virus. The most severe subset is known as the highly pathogenic variety; the low pathogenic type is the least severe subset of this type of flu. Just about any time you hear about major outbreaks of the flu in the news, or when a certain strain is described as being particularly devastating to humans, it is almost certainly the type A flu. Additionally, severe strains are almost always of the highly pathogenic variety.
Of all the types of flu that one can contract, type A is definitely the most dreaded. The elderly and the very young are the most at risk when it comes to this form of the flu. However, many flu vaccinations are available to help prevent contracting this type of flu. This is fortunate, since the risks associated with type A are the most serious.
Flu Virus B (Influenza virus B) -
Unlike the type A flu, this form of the influenza virus is not responsible for any severe pandemics or other major, newsworthy events. Most people acquire some type of immunity to the type B flu at a relatively early age. However, the pathogens behind the type B flu also mutate frequently, so any immunity will not last forever.
The common occurrence of flu that happens during the winter months is usually of the type B variety. All of the coughing, hacking and other outward symptoms can almost always be attributed to this type B form of flu. However, flu vaccinations do not offer an effective cure or countermeasure to this strain, and researchers continue to work to find ways to combat it.
Flu Virus C (Influenza virus C) -
The type C form of influenza is the rarest one. If someone contracts the flu, it is almost always the type A or type B variety. Type C causes severe symptoms when it does occur, however. This form of the flu is also far likelier to be contracted by children than by any other segment of the population.
Flu Vaccinations -
Regardless of what type of flu you may be concerned about, it is always wise to get a yearly flu vaccination. It can help you avoid a lot of the downtime often associated with these outbreaks. You can minimize the potential for work or school interruptions by protecting yourself with a flu vaccination. The elderly are especially encouraged to receive these vaccinations, as they are the likeliest to suffer the worst symptoms.
